ECP to convene on SC reserved seats ruling today
In view of the Supreme Court's ruling on reserved seats in Pakistan's legislative bodies, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is set to hold an important meeting today (Monday) to discuss the implementation of the top court's decision.
Sources confirm that the meeting will focus on formulating a strategy for implementing the court's order and reviewing the judicial decision in detail, reported Express News.
One of the key issues on the agenda will be the restoration of the Peshawar High Court’s ruling.
The meeting will be chaired by the chief election commissioner and will include all members of the commission as well as the legal team for consultations.
It is expected that the official notification of candidates' victories will be issued following the meeting later today.
Additionally, the Supreme Court’s July 12 decision will also be reviewed, especially with future decisions regarding the Sunni Ittehad Council.
Read: ECP rejects criticism after SC ruling on reserved seats
Earlier, ECP had rejected what it called “baseless propaganda” being circulated in certain media circles in response to renewed criticism following the apex court's constitutional bench’s decision on reserved seats.
Criticism came after the SC constitutional bench dismissed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-turned Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) review petition regarding the allocation of reserved seats.
#ECP pic.twitter.com/e570cZC2Ty
This decision allows the ruling coalition, led by the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), to emerge as the single largest party and to consolidate a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.
Amid shifting political dynamics, the ECP has reiterated its constitutional role and defended the legality of its decisions, saying the claims were contrary to facts and intended to mislead the public.
It was a victory for the ruling parties on the legal front as the SC constitutional bench has set aside the appex court's July 12, 2024 judgment, which had resurrected the PTI as a parliamentary party and allowed it to get reserved seats in legislatures.
Read more: PTI loses court battle for reserved seats
"For detailed reasons to be recorded later, subject to amplification or elucidation as may be deemed appropriate, by a majority of 7, all civil review petitions are allowed and the impugned majority judgment dated 12.07.2024 is set aside.
"As a consequence thereof, Civil Appeal Nos 33 of 2024 and 334 of 2024 filed by the SIC [Sunni Ittehad Council] are dismissed and the judgment rendered by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) is restored," said a short order issued by the 10-member CB led by Justice Aminuddin Khan.
With the exception of Justice Khan, the majority order was signed by Justice Musarrat Hilali, Justice Naeem Akhter Afghan, Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi.